Mohammad Pervez

Could you share something unexpected or a fun fact about you?

I have a rare perception pattern called synesthesia. It has helped shape my perspective of the world and made me look for connections where they do not seem apparent.

Tell us about yourself, and how you got to where you are today both on a professional and personal level?

I have an endless fascination with the world, and human nature in particular. This naturally drew me to medicine. I became a cardiothoracic surgeon and have worked at over a dozen hospitals across North America and Asia. 

When dealing with human lives, you are always looking for that extra 0.1% advantage, and I realised that the individual in the system is only as good as the system allows. COVID, unfortunately, validated this impression. 

I started getting involved in innovation and entrepreneurship and invented/patented a device to help train cardiac surgical teams. To better familiarise myself with the tools we had at hand, my next step was a computer science Master’s in Health Informatics. Despite all this, my most valuable lessons have come from my family, friends, and patients.

What led you to decide to pursue an Executive MBA, and why did you choose INSEAD in particular?

With the pandemic, I realised physicians had to do more. Those with the most sympathy for patients were the furthest removed from the decisions that impacted them. Even worse was a growing divide between physicians and healthcare leaders. With the catalyst of powerful information technology tools entering the mix, even a small divergence would amplify this divide. We simply needed more people who spoke both languages. 

The TIEMBA at INSEAD was an unmatched choice for me because of the global context. I wanted exposure to how different people approached the same problems, not just from different disciplines but also from different cultural contexts.

How would you describe your experience so far? What is your impression of the faculty, the curriculum, and your fellow participants?

The programme has been highly rewarding. I have been able to directly apply many of the taught concepts to refine the startups I am working with. The range and density of information are substantial, and yet the faculty manages to keep it not just interesting but even entertaining.

  Some of the greatest insights have come from my classmates, who have provided key technical insights and tremendous warmth and mutual support.   

What advice would you give to someone who might be interested in pursuing an INSEAD programme? 

When choosing, we tend to look at established metrics like ratings, reputation, alumni networks, and industry presence. While these matter, the truth is that the real value of the EMBA is what the ecosystem can bring out in you. The connections with others are useful, but the focus of the INSEAD programme to connect with yourself has been the real prize. Anticipate that the journey won’t just make you better; it will also change you in fundamental ways.